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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Max Gail Turns In Another Emmy-Worthy Performance As Mike’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Takes Its Toll

Courtesy/GH

For any of us who have seen our loved ones deteriorate right before our eyes, due to the horrific affects of Alzheimer’s, and have been witness to their confusion, dementia, angry outbursts, frightened looks, and uncontrollable tears, yesterday’s episode of General Hospital brought with it a stark reminder of how this disease is a gut-punch to those afflicted and their family members.

For several months, GH viewers saw a bit less of Mike; played brilliantly by recent Daytime Emmy Supporting Actor in a Drama Series winner, Max Gail.  And smartly, the writers have taken the time to advance Mike’s condition …. as at this point he doesn’t recognize his son, his family, his friends, and more.  For Mike, he is living in the past spirally backward and downward.

When Dev (Ashton Arbab) and Josslyn (Eden McCoy) go to visit Mike at Turning Woods, it’s clear  how much he is suffering.  When Dev plays a checkers game with Mike it seems to calm him down, but when Sonny (Maurice Benard) enters, all hell breaks loose.  Mike thinks his son is actually one of their mortal enemies Joe Scully.

Earlier, at the Corinthos home, Michael (Chad Duell) sees that Sonny is considering entering his father in a clinical trial. Sonny says he knows it won’t cure the disease, but hopes the drugs in the trial can slow its progression.  In a key question, any family member needs to ask themselves, Michael asks Sonny to think first, if this is the man Mike would want to be?  Michael shares that Mike is no longer himself and sadly, there is no coming back from that.

All this becomes more poignant when Sonny sees first-hand how far Mike has slid.  Will Sonny be able to come to terms with losing Mike to Alzheimer’s?  How will he deal with it?  Gail’s partner in this entire storyline has been GH icon, Maurice Benard, who delivers poignant work throughout this story in very contained, emotional moments of deep hurt and pain, as Sonny watches the father he knew become lost in himself and to others.

Watch the key scenes below from yesterday’s GH below featuring Gail.  Then, let us know, do you think Max could end up in the running for another Daytime Emmy for his work?  Comment below.

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Love Max Gail. Also loved Ron Hale (?) in the role. I really miss our show. I miss “Cliff Hanger Friday” & super couples like Frisco & Felicia, Sonny & Brenda (my two favorite couples). Nowadays, we are hiring boyfriends in the parking lot and focusing on a boring teen scene.

Max is wonderful and such a treat. It shows you how many other actors out there who used to have shows on TV are capable of this. I wish more would appear. GH has so much talent. It should be #1 BUT the stories struggle at times. These two kids were fabulous in their scenes with Max Gail. Kudos to the casting department!

Max Gail is outstanding, sad to think there is only so long they can keep him on as the illness will eventually take Mike

Max Gail should get another Emmy nod. As far as winning another Emmy, it will depend on who else will be in his category and what their reels contain.

I definitely agree that Max Gai deserves an Oscar for his performance. I have watched many movies with Alzheimer’s as the focus (Iris, Away from Her, Still Alice) and his performance ranks with the best of them. It touches me deeply as my dear mother suffered from the terrible disease. Well done, Max.

Oh yes, kudos to this wonderful actor. I should have known watching him years ago , on Barney Miller that his acting abilities would only grow, making him a great actor. He will be missed on GH when his time is up as Mike.

@Violet…Hello! It’s been awhile, dear lady! ..Yes, Max’s charmingly obtuse Wojo was one of the highlights of “Barney Miller,” thus, “he” wears well to this day, albeit we are now (sadly) living in much more PC times than when his hilariously naughty show debuted. (It’s still oh-so-fun to watch when in a nostalgic mood for “the way things used to be”….Lol.) Hence although I have not kept up with his Alzheimer’s saga on GH as of late, I’ve no doubt that Gail’s portrayal of Mike hasn’t diminished even as his character’s capacities have…he really is that fine of an actor. At any rate, what I really came here to do is wish you a “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” It was such a pleasure “getting to know you” in 2019, despite the fact that our penchant for too off-topic “conversations” was (understandably) cut short…hey, at least they were tremendously enjoyable whilst they lasted! (I do still miss them, though..) By the way, one final word about that particular movie which we are not allowed to discuss: I just noticed that it is now available to rent and/or own on Amazon…Hope Santa is aware so that he can leave it in your Christmas stocking!!!! Cheers!!!!!

Hi Shay, ho,ho,ho! Guess what I got for Christmas, mostly thanks to you?. My gr.granddaughter asked me what I wanted and I for once had something to tell her, after reading your last reply. I just finished watching it and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a way to end the day. I could never figure out if Violet found out about the companion/daughter thing. I’d like to discuss it further, but Michael will have a cow. Hope your Christmas was really good, and your New Year even better.
I really enjoyed the Scrooge episode, did you see it?

Oh, Violet….I’m DELIGHTED to know that you had a Merry Christmas and received what your heart truly desired! Bless your granddaughter for buying you the perfect gift. (So glad I could help out…you are most welcome! I had hoped that you would read my post in time for you to share that vital information with your own “personal shopper” and I agree it gave you a wonderful way to end your holiday!) Without going into too much detail about that divinely superb film whose name we dare not mention…(LOL): I believe that the Dowager Countess totally realized the “connection” to which you are referring, which is why she was promoting the matchmaking idea for Branson toward the end..Also, how about that beautiful Mary/Violet scene? It was my most and least favorite in the entire movie since it featured my two best-loved characters whilst broaching a totally tearjerking notion which I simply refuse to contemplate. (Without giving away the plot, I did detect an out for that storyline though…Seems “Dame Maggie’ slyly switched a few words in her lines at the last take in order to be more ambiguous…perhaps giving herself a bargaining chip should the rumored sequel come to fruition???) Okay…best be done with that off-topic-topic now…even though I do hear you on wishing that we could discuss it at length! Having said that, I will appreciate even this small mention of said subject as a special holiday treat from the moderators! (Although I have to admit that I’m still mystified as to why there was never an MF thread dedicated to the film’s fall release, huge box office numbers and subsequent news of its proposed sequel based upon that success, but then ours is not to wonder why…) At any rate, I’m thrilled to have played a part in the enjoyment of your holiday. Yes, mine was quite nice, too, thank you very much…just extremely hectic, still I wanted to quickly get back here to reply to your lovely message…it really made my day, because sharing and spreading joy is what Christmas is all about! Do take care and Happy New Year to you, too, dear lady! See you in 2020 on the GH threads where we will both absolutely, positively stay “on topic,” right???? (Nodding yes…in unison!!!!) By the way, I will definitely take a peek at Michael Easton’s much-praised “Scrooge” performance…I am so far behind on the soap that it took me a minute to realize what you meant…duh!!! (Especially since I just finished the BBC’s latest version of “A Christmas Carol” starring Guy Pearce, so I had that one on the brain….) Must be going…Later, Violet!!!!!

General Hospital

Lane Davies on Possibility of Extending His General Hospital Run: “I Would Be Totally Open”

This week, viewers are catching the re-teaming of Lane Davies and Nancy Lee Grahn for the second time on General Hospital and the third time in their careers given their storied history as Santa Barbara’s Mason Capwell and Julia Wainright.

Previously, Nancy and Lane played opposite each other and shares scenes as Dr. Cameron Lewis and Alexis Davis back in 2002 on the ABC daytime drama series. Now in 2024, Davies takes on the role of Fergus Byrne, the brother of the late Neil Byrne, as Alexis tries to get her law license reinstated.

Speaking with TV Insider on his recent return to GH, Davies shared, “I know Nancy was wanting to work with me again. I ran into (former GH head writer) Patrick Mulcahey at (Santa Barbara co-creator) Bridget Dobson’s funeral and we had a lovely lunch together and a lovely visit and I think it was just the synergy of all those things coming together that did it. Patrick saw me and realized that I hadn’t completely deteriorated over the years and thought, ‘Well, this would be fun.”’

Photo: NBC

Lane also shared he isn’t closing the door for more episodes of General Hospital down the line were the powers-that-be to keep Fergus on the canvas.

The popular actor expressed,,”I would be totally open, but that’s all up to the writers and fans and producers and network people and I’m kind of out of that loop. But if it happens, grand.”

So, would you like to see Lane stick around Port Charles? Comment below.
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General Hospital

Gregory Harrison Wraps His Run on General Hospital

Gregory Harrison, who has played Gregory Chase on General Hospital, has left the series.  As viewers saw, on the May 20th episode Gregory remembers his life, then seemingly went to asleep.

However, on today’s May 21st episode, is it revealed Gregory, who suffered from ALS, passed away in his sleep. Harrison brought with him extensive television and movie credits from Trapper John M.D., Falcon Crest and more before coming to GH.

Harrison joined the ABC daytime drama series in a recurring capacity back in November 2020 and signed a contract back in June of 2022.  A rep for the show confirmed to Soap Opera Digest that Gregory’s exit was storyline-dictated.

 

Photo: ABC

In story, Gregory Chase was the estranged father to Finn (Michael Easton), as they had a complicated past. He also had a younger  son Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard). Gregory was also the grandfather to Violet (Jophielle Love). One of his last wishes was to see Chase and Brook Lynn (Amanda Set tie the knot.

Over the past few months before the character’s demise, he became close with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) and Tracy (Jane Elliot).

The death of Gregory Chase will certainly rock Finn and Chase’s world.

So, sad to know Gregory Harrison has departed General Hospital? Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Kristina is Rocked By Sonny’s Behavior, Finn Teeters on the Edge as Gregory’s Condition Worsens

Monday’s May 20th episode of General Hospital brought with it emotional moments featuring excellent performances by Kate Mansi (Kristina), Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Michael Easton (Finn).

In the pick of Friday’s cliffhanger, Sonny goes postal on Dex (Evan Hofer) and Jason (Steve Burton), until he sees that Kristina heard and saw the whole thing. She runs into the bathroom, while Sonny goes after her.

Sonny is begging Kristina to let him explain. He goes on to say how Dex and Jason both turned on him, and to please not be afraid of him. But, all Kristina can do is cry as she begs Sonny not to touch her, and with that, he walks out.

Courtesy/ABC

Alone and frightened, and trying to calm herself down, Kristina phones Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) and tells her to come to the bathroom. Kristina is worried about her unborn baby, and cannot believe her father’s behavior.  It’s at that point, Kristina voices she feels like a fool because everyone was warning her about her father. She thought he had a code of ethics, but the man she saw threaten to kill Dex and Jason is nothing like that, leaving her bewildered and stunned.

Jason calls Carly (Laura Wright) and she comes running to the Metro Court to find Sonny, while Jason follows her, but remains sight unseen. Carly finds Sonny at the pool area. Sonny says he thinks no one loves him anymore. Carly says Kristina just needs some time. Carly tells Sonny to not act like that again, but Sonny says he can’t promise that.

Courtesy/ABC

Following Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) wedding, Gregory, Finn and Violet (Jophielle Love) come home.  When Violet  goes to bed, it leaves father and son to have some very heavy moments given Gregory’s battle with ALS. Finn tells his dad that he appreciates the time they have together now after years of being apart. Gregory tells Finn he is proud of him, which brings the good doctor to tears.

After Finn helps Gregory get ready for bed, he leaves and calls Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn). Finn admits he threw away 7 years of sobriety by somehow taking a sip of champagne at the wedding reception. Alexis wonders if subconsciously he wanted the drink but says that doesn’t mean he failed.

Courtesy/ABC

At the end of episode, Gregory is in bed, and has flashes of his own life from a child till now, and of his children, Finn and Chase. He finally closes his eyes. Will Gregory not wake up sending Finn on a complete downward spiral? Stay tuned!

So, what did you think of the performances of Kate Mansi, Maurice Benard and Michael Easton? What do you think will happen next? Share your theories via the comment section below.

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